Sanders calls for Dems to return to grassroots

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says the outcome of this week’s election should inspire the Democratic Party to reform itself into more of a “grass-roots” enterprise.

{mosads}In an op-ed published Friday in the New York Times, Sanders said he will put forth a series of proposals to “reinvigorate” the party.

“I believe strongly that the party must break loose from its corporate establishment ties and, once again, become a grass-roots party of working people, the elderly and the poor,” Sanders wrote.

“We must open the doors of the party to welcome in the idealism and energy of young people and all Americans who are fighting for economic, social, racial and environmental justice,” he continued. 

“We must have the courage to take on the greed and power of Wall Street, the drug companies, the insurance companies and the fossil fuel industry.” 

The Vermont senator acknowledged that the election of Donald Trump showed that people wanted change, but questioned whether the president-elect could provide it in the face of the powerful special interests.

“I will keep an open mind to see what ideas Mr. Trump offers and when and how we can work together,” Sanders wrote. “Having lost the nationwide popular vote, however, he would do well to heed the views of progressives.

“If the president-elect is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families, I’m going to present some very real opportunities for him to earn my support.”